The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a fierce legal counteroffensive against what it describes as a fraudulent lawsuit filed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) targeting its interim leadership, including former Senate President David Mark and ex-Minister Rauf Aregbesola.
This was made known on Tuesday in Abuja by Barrister Mohammed Sheriff, head of the ADC’s legal support team, who disclosed that a 97-member team of lawyers had assembled voluntarily to contest the case. According to him, the alledged 'APC-backed' litigation was filed using the names of individuals who are neither known to the ADC nor registered members of the party.
‘They Are Not ADC Members’
The legal challenge comes days after a stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja between Senator Mark, recently appointed as the ADC’s Interim National Chairman. During the meeting, Mark reinforced the party's commitment to democratic values and collective ownership.
“I don’t own this party more than any other member… All Nigerians must come together and take ownership of the ADC,” Mark said, adding that the party under his watch would not show preference to any presidential aspirant.
The former Senate President also urged Nigerians to take more active roles in shaping the nation’s future, warning that Nigeria’s democratic experiment risked collapse if citizens remained disengaged.
APC Playing ‘Machiavellian Politics’
The ADC strongly accused the APC of employing underhanded tactics to derail its internal reorganisation, describing the lawsuit as a desperate ploy rooted in political fear.
According to party officials, preliminary investigations revealed that the individuals named in the suit, reportedly from Kogi and Nasarawa States, were not on the ADC’s membership register. The party described the legal move as “dishonest and Machiavellian,” questioning the moral standing of a ruling party that allegedly resorts to fabrication.
“It smacks of desperation that a party entrusted with leading 200 million Nigerians would engage in such dishonesty,” an ADC statement read.
Senator Mark used the moment to take a swipe at the APC’s governance record, particularly its handling of insecurity.
“If they admitted that insecurity was bad and promised to improve it but instead made it worse, should Nigerians continue to support them? The answer is no,” he stated.
A New Political Alternative
The ADC sees the APC’s legal manoeuvres as a sign that its resurgence is unsettling to the political establishment. Barrister Sheriff confirmed that legal action would be taken not only to dismiss the lawsuit but also to expose its sponsors.
“We are fully prepared to defend the ADC and its leaders against this politically motivated attack,” he declared.
Senator Mark concluded by calling for national unity and urging citizens to rally behind the ADC as a viable alternative platform driven by democratic reform and people-centred leadership.
“Let us work together to rebuild this nation for future generations,” he said.
0 Comments